Hello Friends of Rainmatter
This thread to talk about the progress of the ClimateJam project.
ClimateJam is a one-of-a-kind culture project to that brings together live music and positive climate action at the grassroots level in schools and colleges. It is a collaboration between folk-rock band Swarathma, the Rainmatter Foundation and select premiere schools and colleges. Its objective is to change the perception around climate change action from one of foreboding and gloom to one of hope, positivity, and inclusion. ClimateJam does this by creating concert experiences around issues that concern the planet.
Art and music play a key role in shaping perspectives towards the issues that concern us most. Oftentimes, hearts and minds change more with feelings than with facts. Messaging around climate change is like a bitter pill. When coated with the sugar of entertainment, humour, satire, and a sense of community, the message creates a greater impact. Creating meaningful concert experiences around issues that concern the planet often shape attitudes and opinions of young people more easily.
We began this with a partnership with Krea University. As part of their course titled Engaging with the Environment, the students put up over 250 project showcases that reflected their research, points of view and ideas for a more sustainable world.
And to celebrate this, we performed the ClimateJam concert at their Open Air Theatre, later that evening. It was a balmy night when we took the stage but we really went all out, and pretty soon Krea was on its feet! What a great feeling! Big shout out to Rakhi Rai, Dr Bharath Sundaram and the student team for a wonderful time.
An aftermovie of the event is up on the Swarathma YouTube Page.
This is the first of the 10-concert series we plan across Indian campuses this year. The main challenge is the identify common ground with the institute’s climate-led objectives and that of the project. Securing budgets from the institute to cover the technical and travel expenses is another - but once the cultural value of the project comes through these become easy to manage.
A new area of collaboration is unfolding with Rainmatter partner organizations - we are in conversation with WRI, Reap Benefit and Yuvaa for ways to integrate their participation in widening the impact of ClimateJam on its target audience.
Photographs of the event are here, along with a Substack report.
Stay tuned for more updates!
About Swarathma
Swarathma is an acclaimed folk-rock band from Bengaluru, that represents the sound of today’s India: rooted in tradition, but with global ambition. Their music effortlessly blends Indian folk and classical styles with rock, reggae, blues, and dance rhythms. They are known for powerful lyrics that address themes like climate, politics, religion, and culture, but with tongue-in-cheek humour and satire. They have taken their brand of electrifying live performances across the globe with concert tours of the UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and Morocco.